Human Trafficking National Hotline

Human trafficking expert Lisa Michels is on Voices of Hope internet radio show until 1:00 pm today.

National Human Trafficking Resource Center - for questions and general information on human trafficking.
1.888.373.7888

National Center of Missing and Exploiting Children
1.800.THE.LOST

Dept. Of Justice Hotline on Human Trafficking.
888.428.7581

Pastor Allegedly Pulls Gun on Son. Another Case of Family Violence?

WBIR is reporting that a local pastor allegedly pulled a gun on his son and threatened the son's wife and family.  (Click here for the news report.) Note: The accused is always presumed to be innocent until judged by a court of law.

Family violence knows no boundaries and should never be tolerated. That there should even be a hint of domestic violence in a pastor's family goes against our sense of order. Parishioners immediately begin taking sides the minute an allegation of family violence is made. One of the reason's that domestic violence in a pastor's family is so reprehensible is because it not only endangers the family as a unit but the church family as a whole.

Some denominations require extensive psychological testing to be done on all pastors before they are admitted into ministry. These tests are often performed in addition to a background check. The tests are not failproof but they do offer a proactive defense against domestic violence in the pastor's family.

There is no excuse for family violence. Pastors especially should be vigilant about their own behavior and that of their family members. If there are issues that could potentially lead to domestic violence counseling should be obtained immediately. This may require a pastoral family to live apart for a year. Pastor's may balk that this could hurt their ministry and it might. In reality, a separation under counseling will hurt a ministry much less than an allegation or actualization of family violence or domestic abuse.

Schoolboard Member Resigns After Domestic Violence; Another Cost

WATE is reporting on the resignation of Knox County School Board Member Bill Phillips. According to the news report Mr. Phillip admitted guilt in a domestic altercation with his wife in December 2008.  The cost, in this case of domestic violence involved not only the loss of a coveted position but in 2009 the Tennessee Dept. of Safety revoked the handgun permit of Mr. Phillips. The article also mentions a possible previous incident of domestic violence between both Phillips and his wife. Neither had any memory of the previous event.

Domestic violence is a crime that often ends in shattered lives. Seemingly, both parties were fortunate this time. No life was lost. No bones were broken. Advocates and educators know that domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior that escalates over time. It begins with name calling and put downs and then evolves into physical and/or sexual violence.

Abusers come in all walks of life. Sadly, they are even in positions of authority and great influence. In addition to other losses  the loss of position is only one of the high prices to be paid in domestic violence.

If you are a victim or abuser who needs help please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Click here to view their website.

Haiti Relief and Human Trafficking

Nagging me from the back of my mind is a statistic that I saw recently. It estimated that Haiti has around 250,000 people (mostly children) in bondage. Until today, I could not find the statistic. It came from the HumanTrafficking blog at Change.org. Amanda Kloher writes that the quarter million child slaves in Haiti are known as restaveks.

The trafficking of humans has been a longstanding problem in Haiti. In 2007, the Pan American Development Foundation received $6.4 million dollars to provide services to women and children and create a cross-border awareness campaign.

The stories that rescued restaveks share are horrendous. They are in last place in the Haiti society. These victims of human trafficking are the unseen, forgotten children of the desperately poor in Haiti. With the aid that is beginning to flow into the country you have to wonder when, or if, it will reach these children.

Pastors and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence and Christianity are two terms that never belong together. Many people enjoy a close relationship with their pastors, clergy or other religious leaders. Maybe that's why we feel betrayed when we hear about abuses committed by a pastor or arrest for domestic violence.

Some of the behavior expected by pastors help to hide the crime of domestic abuse. The tendency to put the pastor on a pedestal, the frequent relocation of clergy families, discouraging the spouses of pastors from having a job outside the home... all of these add to the isolation of the victim. Unfortunately, this pattern sometimes ends in death. Domestic violence homicides are always an outrage. That it happens in clergy families is even more despicable.

Right now, Yahoo News is reporting than the ex-mistress of a minister testified that the pastor murdered his wife. Previously, WAFF reported on a pastor who turned himself in on charges of domestic violence. The blog Because it Matters - Freedom from Abuse in Christianity reports on yet another pastor who was arrested.

The good news is that most pastors are not abusers. The percentage of ministers who are domestic abuse  offenders is small. It is the small minority of abusive pastors who garner the attention of the national media.

Pastors who load supply trucks with items going to 3rd world countries isn't news anymore. Pastors who stay late to help someone with a problem, buy a food box for a parishioner, tithe, organize youth trips or senior outings, prepare sermons or are called away from family celebrations just aren't front page material.

Let's face facts, it is this kind of minister who deserves the front page space, not a pastor who is domestic violence abuser.

If you have questions about domestic violence the National DV Hotline has answers. 1.800.799.SAFE

Anniversary date and ramblings

January 18 is my 15 year anniversary date. It seems like it was a lifetime ago. Once in awhile it seems like it was yesterday. Survivors of sexual assault, rape or other trauma understand my point. During my time of healing my daughters have grown up. Learning how to let them lead their own lives has been tough. They both have some special needs health challenges. Combine that with a mother who is a rape survivor and I'm sure they'll have plenty of baggage to keep a therapist employed. j/k.

In my healing from sexual assault I've pushed myself beyond the limits. Growing up, my mother prepared me to drop out of school, raise a "passel" of kids (however many that is) and to fail in most areas of life. Then, I married and found happiness. Therapy helped me learn to live for the first time. Then, I became a survivor. When that happened my anger fueled my healing and helped me reach farther, dig deeper and become stronger.

This past year has been an amazing ride. I drove to Alaska from Tennessee with my daughter. Going across Canada and back through the US was the trip of a lifetime. In November, I spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in DC. The same daughter was with me for that. I wish my younger daughter could have come but she couldn't get out of classes. It was an incredible experience.

But sadness has touched my life once again. When I became a survivor 15 years ago my mother was battling cancer. The mother of a friend of mine helped me greatly. She had also partially raised me, took me to high school when my mother would not and was there for the key events of my life - including helping me with the sexual assault.

This month, we found out that she now has cancer. At this point there are more questions than answers. She is a dynamic and dynamite lady. My heart is sad for her and for her family. Please keep her in your prayers.

This has brought a lot of things up for me that I faced so long ago. Today, we are bombarded with images of suffering in Haiti. I wonder how I can complain when this country is facing such a struggle. Then, I look back through the pages of my life and know that I cannot and will not complain. The fact is that evil happens, bad things happen and life isn't perfect - darn it!

But I also know that love overcomes pain. Hope overcomes sorrow. Sunrise follows sunset. This used to be cliches for me but they aren't anymore. Now they are treasures to hold dear. I hope that you hold them dear too.

Haiti Earthquake Relief; Pets and Animals

Some agencies are working to assess and help animals and pets in the Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Most of us would agree that the rescue of animals takes second place to the rescue and recovery of humans. However, there is reason for the Haiti earthquake relief to cover Fido too.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals reminds us that when disaster strikes habitats are lost. Even domesticated pets, when having to fend for themselves, will act accordingly. This can become a safety issue to the general public. Sick animals can spread disease. Injured animals in pain can lash out at humans. Wild animals are always unpredictable and become more so after fleeing from habitat destruction.

Plus, as in the photo, pet owners are fond of their animals. Responsible pet owners would want someone to help their pets if they couldn't. The additional worry only compounds the stress that disaster victims are already under.

From these perspectives, it makes sense to include pets and animals in the Haiti disaster response.  Some charities are doing just that. In addition to the World Society for the Protection of Animals a few other organizations are listed below.

More information:
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Christian Veterinary Mission
Humane Society: Wayne Pacelle